Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lights up.

Frank (the psychiatrist), sits alone on the stage, facing the audience, a single chair placed next to him, empty. He is writing in his notebook, probably catching up on additional paperwork, when a knock can be heard from offstage.

Frank

Come in. 

Eddie enters the scene, timid and unsure.

 Frank sees this behavior and perks up immediately. 

Hello, Eddie! Long time no see. Come in, take a seat. 

Eddie

Eddie sits in the empty chair. 

I wish I could say I was glad to be back.

Frank

Mental health journeys are never a straight road, Eddie. I told you that day one. 

Eddie

Well I guess I believe you now. 

He chuckles sarcastically.

Frank

So what’s troubling you this time?

Eddie

I’m warning you, this one’s a doozy.

Frank

I promise you, I’ve heard it all.

Eddie

I ran into someone who looked a lot like Shannon, and by a lot I mean a lot. Like she looked exactly like Shannon, but if Shannon didn’t have bangs or curly hair.

Frank

Thank you for the very clear description. Go on.

Eddie

We started hanging out with each other and I didn’t tell anyone about it, including my girlfriend and son. 

Frank

Well everyone has friends Eddie. It’s normal to make new friends and hang out with them.

Eddie

They...were more like dates. And she came to the house a couple times, but she showed up unannounced one time and the two of them walked in on me with her in the living room. And now Christopher’s decided he’s better off in Texas than in the same house as me, and I think it would be redundant to say I don’t have a girlfriend anymore.

Frank

He pauses, unsure of how to respond. 

Wow…well, that’s definitely a new one.

Eddie

I’m hopeless, right?

Frank

Now I didn’t say that, did I? 

Eddie

Eddie shakes his head

I just want my son to come home. I don’t know where to start.

Frank

He smiles warmly.

Good thing I do. I am noticing Shannon seems to come up a lot in our sessions.

Eddie

He’s slightly confused, unsure of where this is going.

She was Chrisopher’s mother. Why wouldn’t she come up?

Frank

She was also your wife. You don’t acknowledge that part of your relationship with her a lot.

Eddie

She never really felt like my wife, if I’m being honest. 

Frank

What do you mean by that?

Eddie

I mean, she was my best friend in high school. We did practically everything together.

Frank

So what changed?

Eddie

Neither of us ever really dated in high school, at least not seriously. But by the time we got to the end of senior year, we realized we were both still virgins. So we hooked up one time in an effort to not look like total losers when we got to our respective colleges. But then she missed her period, and…well, I learned that once is enough the hard way.

He chuckles.

I guess my point is she always saw her more as a friend than a partner. And I know she hated that. She wanted a husband and I couldn’t give that to her. I’ve always felt bad about it.

Frank

A suspicious look crosses Frank’s face, something clicks. 

He leans forward, testing a theory.

Why’d you feel bad? 

Eddie

He looks more confused.

I mean, I only did it for my parents and well…God. I never loved her the way she wanted me to. And to make it even worse I ran from our marriage every chance I got. She didn’t deserve that.

Frank

You can’t help the way you feel, Eddie.

Eddie

But I can help the way I act. And I made the wrong decisions at every turn. I just ran.

Frank

That’s true, you didn’t make the best decisions. But you made the best decisions you could at the time.

He pauses, thinking.

Have you ever thought about why you kept running away?

Eddie

Because I was scared. Why else do people run away?

Frank

He chuckles softly.

I know you were scared. I guess I’m asking why you were scared? I mean, you married your best friend. Isn’t that the goal for most people?

Eddie

Plenty of people don’t want to marry their best friends. If we're going by that logic I might as well marry Buck.

He chuckles as if the thought is ridiculous. 

Frank doesn’t laugh this time.

Frank

Well why don’t you?

Eddie

Eddie makes the same chuckle.

Because I’m not gay.

Frank

Are you sure about that?

Eddie

He grows defensive.

I’m not gay, Frank. I’ve only ever dated women. 

Frank

That doesn’t mean you can’t be gay.

Eddie

I’ve never even liked a man. Isn’t that the main requirement?

Frank

I think you do like a man. 

Eddie

He laughs dismissively again.

Who?

His face contorts into defensive anger 

as he puts the pieces together.

You’re kidding, right? Buck is my best friend, I don’t love him like… that. I care about him in the same way I care about Shannon.

Frank

See I just don’t think that’s true.

Eddie

Who are you to make that call? The last time I came to you was for my army PTSD two years ago. We didn’t even talk about Buck. He hasn’t even been brought up until now.

Frank

He didn’t need to be.

Eddie

Exasperated.

Okay, I’m lost.

Frank

You’ve always loved Shannon, right?

Eddie

She was my best friend. Of course I loved her.

Frank

But you loved her like a friend would. Not like a partner. 

Eddie

Yes. What does that have to do with Buck?

Frank

How long did it take you to give Buck a key to your place?

Eddie

How do you know Buck has a key?

Frank

Just a guess. How long?

Eddie

Stammering.

I-I don’t know. Less than a year. He’s good with Chris. That’s why-

He takes a breath.

We’d known each other for a week and he introduced me to Carla. If I didn’t have Carla I would’ve lost Christopher. It was the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Who wouldn’t give Buck a key after that?

Frank

So he plays an active role in Chris’s life?

Eddie

He can’t help but smile.

Yeah. The two of them, they’re like best friends. I love that my kid loves him.

Frank

Does Buck do things that you would do with Chris?

Eddie

Like what?

Frank

Like…take him to school or any after school activities, help him out with his homework, give him serious talks, that sort of thing.

Eddie

Yeah he does all of that. But that doesn’t mean he’s like Shannon.

Frank

A pause.

When you first saw me two years ago, you told me how you’ve always felt like you weren’t enough for Christopher.

Eddie

What does that have to do with anything?

Frank

It’s why you dated, isn’t it? To find a replacement mother figure for your son?

Eddie

I genuinely liked Ana and Marisol. I wasn’t just dating them for my son.

Frank

It’s not going to do you any good to lie to me, Eddie.

Eddie

He suddenly grows angry

I’m not lying to you! I came to you because my son is in Texas and he won’t talk to me, and now we’re talking about Buck? I don’t understand how this is supposed to help me bring my son home.

Frank

You can’t bring your son home until you address the root of why a Shannon doppelganger was in your home in the first place.

Eddie

And you think Buck has something to do with it?

Frank

I think it goes further than Buck. I think you’ve been repressing who you are for a very long time. Such a long time that you probably don’t even realize you’re doing it anymore.

Eddie

Who I am being, gay, right?

Frank

You don’t believe me.

Eddie

I don’t know what I believe. This is just…a lot.

He rubs his forehead, clearly upset.

Frank

It’s a heavy topic. We can table this conversation until you’re ready, if you’d like?

Eddie

Breathless and clearly shaken. He stands immediately.

Yeah, let’s actually, uh, call it a day. I’ll see you next week, Frank.

He walks offstage, distressed.

Frank

He tries to call after him, but Eddie is already gone.

Eddie, we still have 30 minutes left. I was just going to suggest we switch gears-Eddie!

Blackout

Chapter Text

Lights up.

A week later, the scene looks the same. Frank’s chair sits in its same spot while an empty one sits next to it. A knock can be heard from offstage. Frank checks his watch.

Frank

You can come in, Eddie.

Eddie

He once again walks in timid and unsure.

Hey…about last week-

Frank

It’s already forgotten. It’s a new week. How about we start fresh?

Eddie

A sigh of relief escapes him. He sits.

That would be great.

Frank

Alright then. So tell me, how was your childhood?

Eddie

You put a lot of thought into that opening question, haven’t you?

Frank

It’s almost like I’ve been doing this a while.

The two of them laugh.

Eddie

I suppose you have.

Frank

So you didn’t answer my question. How was your childhood?

Eddie

Well that’s a loaded question with a…very complicated answer. I don’t know where you want me to start.

Frank

Let’s start with why the question has a complicated answer.

Eddie

It’s not like I had a bad childhood. I had two parents that loved me and wanted the best for me.

Frank

But?

Eddie

My dad was…hard on me growing up. He always told me he wanted me to “be a man” and “take charge” except his version of  “take charge” meant taking care of everyone else when he wasn’t around…and he wasn’t around much. And it’s not like my mom did anything to stop it, so it was mostly me taking care of her and my sisters.

Frank

That’s a lot to put on a child.

Eddie

Yeah it wasn’t easy, and it didn’t even stop there. When I got older and had Chris, even after I practically raised my sisters, my parents still questioned my ability to raise my son when Shannon left. So of course when Chris called them in the middle of the night in distress, they didn’t even hesitate to get on the next flight out.

He looks down at the ground, 

twiddling his fingers.

Frank

How did that make you feel?

Eddie

He grows irritated.

I feel like it’s obvious how I felt about it. What kind of cliche question is that? 

Frank

I want you to verbalize it. It will help you to actually process these feelings. 

Eddie

A lull of silence.

I felt…crazy. I guess anger too, but mostly crazy. I mean, Chris is my son, not theirs. And he’s a great kid, no thanks to them. So why they think they have some rightful claim over him is beyond me.

Another pause. He’s thinking.

Like I’m a good parent.

Frank

Of course you are, Eddie.

Eddie

So why am I letting my parents try to convince me I’m not again ? It’s exhausting.

Frank

Because you don't really believe it yourself. 

Eddie doesn’t argue back this time.

He sits in silence.

Your parents told you time and time again that you were inadequate as you are, and at a certain point, you made the mistake of believing them.

Eddie

I told you, I didn’t have a bad childhood-

Frank

That doesn’t mean you can’t have trauma from it.

Eddie

My father was an absent man, not an abusive one.

Frank

Maybe not physically, but emotional abuse is just as real and traumatic, Eddie. He forced you to grow up at what, the age of 10? You hadn’t even hit puberty yet. And even after you stepped up and became the man of the house, your parents still tried to tell you you were incapable of raising your special needs son. That’s manipulation, Eddie. That’s trauma. 

Eddie

I reconciled with my father years ago. I thought we were fine. And then he and my mom showed up to take my son away almost…gleefully. It feels like my world is crumbling around me and I’m trying to catch all the crumbs, but they keep falling in the cracks, to a place where I can’t reach them.

Frank

That’s when you get a vacuum to help you out. Me, being the vacuum in this scenario.

Eddie

I just can’t shake the feeling that my father was right all those years ago. I mean, look what I did!

Frank

You made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, even big, fuck up your entire world mistakes. But Eddie, you said Chris is a great kid, no thanks to them. A part of you knows you are the reason Chris turned out so great, otherwise you wouldn’t have said that at all.

Eddie

But they were right. I fucked up, I couldn’t do it by myself. And now I’ve lost my kid, maybe for good.

Frank

Eddie, no one can raise a child by themselves. You’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village.” You found your village. That’s admirable. No one can take that away from you. 

Eddie

He smiles reflectively.

They’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Especially Buck. He’s been there for me since day one. 

He sits up, realizing the implications of what he’s said.

But that’s not me admitting anything.

Frank

We don’t have to pivot if you don’t want to.

Eddie

Coldly.

I don’t.

Frank

Raises his eyebrows. 

A plan formulates in his brain.

Then let’s pivot back to your father. You mentioned that he wanted you to “be a man.” 

Eddie nods.

What did that entail for you?

Eddie

A lot of things. I wasn’t allowed to cry, or express much emotion at all. I didn’t get a lot of time to play either. My only job was to provide for my family. That meant I had to use my time wisely.

Frank

What about in high school? Like, last week you said you didn’t date a lot. Was that also something your father dictated?

Eddie

That was more my choice. My dad actually always wanted me to get a girlfriend, but no one ever really…stuck out to me.

Frank

Well you’re a good looking guy. You had to have some good offers.

Eddie

I did. I never took any.

Frank

Why not? You did everything else to make your father happy. Why not get a girlfriend to really fulfill his standards?

Eddie

I wasn’t interested in any of them. If I dated them, it would’ve felt like I was leading them on. I didn’t want my father’s expectations to hurt anyone but me.

Frank

So how did you feel when Shannon told you she was pregnant?

Eddie

Terrified. I was 18 at the time. I wasn’t ready to be a father. I still felt like a kid. 

Frank

So the proposition of marriage must have been overwhelming for you as well.

Eddie

Well it wasn’t like I had a choice. My parents forced me to get married in a catholic church with a priest and everything. They said it was sinful to have a child out of wedlock. I always felt bad for Shannon. She never asked for my crazy family. She just wanted to be my best friend, and in the end, we couldn’t even be that anymore. But I suppose that’s the consequence of our actions, right?

He attempts a lighthearted chuckle.

It doesn’t take.

Frank

Marriage should never be a consequence, Eddie.

Eddie

Well…I guess that explains why I ran from it every chance I could.

Frank

That’s…part of it.

He pauses, gauging Eddie’s reaction.

Eddie

What’s the other part? What are you not saying?

Frank

Well you stormed out the last time I tried to bring it up. I’m just trying to find a…different approach that won’t make you blow up again.

Eddie

Exasperated, rubbing his forehead.

I thought we were pivoting the conversation.

Frank

You wouldn’t have an extreme reaction to my bringing up your sexuality if there wasn’t something to it. 

Eddie

Can we please not do this again? I’m straight.

Frank

Bullshit. And the only reason you’re insisting you’re not is because you don’t think it’s “manly” to be gay. It would go against everything you’ve been taught to believe. But that’s not true, Eddie. You’re father’s wrong.

Eddie

Just because I have issues with masculinity does not mean I’m gay. 

Frank

Ok, different angle. Go back to high school, Eddie. Did you have any crushes on anyone?

Eddie

I told you, I didn’t date in high school-

Frank

Doesn’t mean you couldn’t have a crush on someone.

Eddie

There’s a pause. He’s stopped in his tracks. He’s remembered something.

I don’t know, maybe? It was so long ago. How am I supposed to remember that?

Frank

You do remember. You knew your father would never approve so you buried it for years until you forgot it was even there at all. But you just remembered something. What did you remember?

Eddie

Nothing! If I did have a crush, it was probably one of the popular girls or something. Everyone had a crush on them.

Frank

No you didn’t. That’s just what you told everyone you were friends with. But there was someone else. Who, Eddie?

Eddie

There was a…boy. His name was Alex. He was my friend. I always liked hanging out with him. Sometimes more than my other friends. We had a lot in common.

Frank

Like what?

Eddie

We both had hyper-religious families. We initially bonded over our mutual disdain for getting up early to go to church. He got me in a way none of my other friends did. It was nice to have someone who understood me like that.

Frank

So you two were close?

Eddie

Yeah. I guess you could say that.

Frank

So have you told anyone else about him? You know, since he was so influential as a friend?

Eddie

No. We lost touch after high school. I had no reason to talk about him.

Frank

Eddie, a lot of people talk about their high school experiences, especially their friends. Why didn’t you talk about him?

Eddie

We had a bad falling out. I don’t like to talk about it. My father would kill me.

Frank

Your father’s not here, Eddie. You can talk about it now.

Eddie

He pauses again, thinking.

My father didn’t like that we were friends. He always thought Alex was…corrupting me. So he suggested that maybe we shouldn’t be friends anymore, that’s it!

Frank

If “that’s it” why don’t you talk about it?

Eddie

I told you, we were close. The loss hurt.

Frank

Did you two date, Eddie?

Eddie

Tears begin to form in his eyes.

No. We were just friends.

Frank

Is that the same thing you tried to tell your dad?

Eddie

The tears let loose. 

He tries frantically to wipe them away.

He didn’t believe me. Just like you don’t believe me-

Frank

What happened, Eddie? Why don’t you and Alex talk anymore? Why don’t you mention him to anyone? What don’t you want anyone to know?

Eddie

He caught me and Alex kissing on my bed! 

He pauses, composing himself.

It hadn’t been the first time, we’d even done more than that, but I knew my dad was home. I couldn’t risk getting caught having sex with a man, but I guess that didn’t matter. My dad walked in anyway and…he made it clear that the behavior I had exhibited was wrong and I could never engage in that behavior or see Alex again. I was then enrolled in an all-boys catholic school so I could “realign my interests.” We never talked about it again.

Frank

That sounds horrible, Eddie. I’m sorry that happened to you.

Eddie

Me too.

He fiddles with his thumbs, looking down.

Frank

It’s not too late, you know? You can be happy, Eddie.

Eddie

I can’t do that to Chris. I’ve fucked up his life enough. If I told him this…

Frank

He’d understand . In fact, I think he might even be relieved.

Eddie

Tears are streaming down his face. 

He looks down at his watch.

Well look at the time. I need to go.

Frank

We’ll talk more next week, ok?

Eddie

Yeah, sure, whatever.

He rushes out and the door slams. 

Blackout

Chapter Text

Lights Up

The scene opens on the exact same setup we’ve seen before, but this time, there’s a third chair next to one Eddie has sat in the last two scenes. A knock can be heard from offstage. Eddie lets himself in.

Eddie

Hey Frank.

He sits.

Frank

Hey Eddie. How’s the last week been?

Eddie

Awkward. 

Frank

Hm. That’s different. What’s making you feel particularly awkward?

Eddie

Ever since last week’s realization, I don’t know how to…adjust. I feel like I’m stuck, Frank. I don’t know what to do.

Frank

Well have you confided in anyone about how you’re feeling? Other than me.

Eddie

Embarrassed

…No.

Frank

Why not? Eddie, two of your closest friends are a lesbian and a bisexual. Two people who know exactly what you’re feeling right now.

Eddie

The idea of telling everyone just…terrifies me. It’s like my throat just closes up the moment I even think about saying those words. Like don’t get me wrong, I want to tell them and ask them what to do, but I just… can’t .

He brushes it off.

I don’t know, that’s probably stupid.

Frank

That’s very much not stupid, Eddie. A lot of people actually feel that way.

Eddie

Sort of hopeful.

Really?

Frank

Yes. Coming out takes a lot of courage. For anyone. You just have to talk down that voice in your head that’s convinced everyone will hate you if you tell them you’re gay.

Eddie

Scoffs, chuckling.

Easier said than done. 

He pauses.

I just wish Buck was here right now. That way I could just spit it out with a professional witness to help me out.

Frank

Funny you should say that…Buck was just here.

Eddie

Taken aback.

He was here? Why? Or is that some patient confidentiality thing.

Frank

No, it wasn’t an official appointment. He came to ask about you.

Eddie

Surprised. 

Me?

Frank

He was concerned about you. He just wanted to know why his best friend was acting weird around him all of a sudden.

Eddie

Embarrassed.

He noticed?

Frank

Of course he noticed. You two spend practically every waking minute together from what I understand. 

Eddie

Yeah…and it doesn't help that you told me I’m in love with Buck two weeks ago. I don’t even know how to process both pieces of information. Like what if I tell him all that and it scares him off and I lose him forever?

Buck

Buck emerges, briskly opening the door with purpose.

That’s impossible.

Eddie

Frozen in pure fear.

Buck?! How much of that did you hear?

Buck

I just got here. I only heard the last bit, I swear.

Eddie

He mutters to himself.

That’s what I was afraid of.

Frank

To Buck.

I thought I told you to leave.

Buck

And I did! I only came back to continue the conversation after Eddie’s session. 

More timidly.

To see if I could get more out of you.

Frank

Bullshit. You came back to snoop. 

Buck tries to rebut, but Frank stops him.

You pressed your ear to the door, Buck. I know how thick my walls are.

Buck

Fine. So I came back to find out what was going on with my best friend of 7 years? 

He directs his attention to Eddie, who is still absolutely frozen.

It’s not like you were talking to me. And I guess I know why now.

Frank

Eddie’s eyes fill to the brim with tears. 

He’s overwhelmed. Frank observes this.

Buck you need to leave. This is a private session. You and Eddie can talk all you want after the hour is up.

Eddie

He blurts out suddenly.

No.

He pauses and makes eye contact with Buck, 

who looks concerned.

He can stay. It’s all gonna come out anyway, it might as well happen now.

Frank

He nods.

Ok then. Buck, take a seat.

He hesitantly takes his place next to Eddie. 

The two of them sit in awkward silence, unsure of how to proceed.

So, how do you two want to-

Buck

He blurts out.

You’re in love with me?

Eddie

I don’t know. Maybe? It’s been a very confusing past two weeks.

Buck

Processing.

Ok…

Eddie

I just came here to try and figure out how to get Chris to come back home. I didn’t ask for all this.

Frank

You figured out the obstacle that’s preventing you from being you. Which in turn drives that wedge between you and Chris. I’d say you achieved the goal you came in here with.

Eddie

Choking through tears.

I’m still terrified he’ll hate me. I mean, I’m changing his whole perception of me and us and our life. That’s a lot of change for a kid. What if he doesn’t take it well?

Buck

Gentle and reassuring.

Eddie…Chris could never hate you.

Eddie

Why not? He already does.

Buck

He doesn’t hate you, though. He’s just…not thrilled with your decision to hang out with someone who looks like a carbon copy of Shannon.

Frank

Which we already concluded you made that decision out of your desire to find Chris a mother figure. But as I tried to say two weeks ago, he has that secondary parental figure you’ve been trying to find in the women you date.

He looks at Buck, who looks confused

Buck

Also clearly flustered.

Me? No, I-I wouldn’t consider myself-I’m not a parent to Chris. That’s Eddie’s job. I don’t-I never want to overstep.

Frank

That doesn’t mean you aren’t a vital piece to their family unit.

Eddie

He turns to Buck.

You are. I would’ve lost Chris years ago if you didn’t introduce me to Carla. I don’t know what I would do without you.

Buck

That doesn’t mean I’m a parental figure, though. I help out, sure, but a parent? I don’t know…

Frank

You two have integrated each other into the other’s life. Everything you two do is in response to the other. Eddie, you put Buck down as the one to become Chris’s legal guardian if anything were to happen to you. That says to me that you already see Buck as an important person in you and Chris’s life. At this point you’re basically married. I don’t know how you two have gotten this far without figuring it out.

Buck

Figure what out?

Frank

I have to spell it out? Jesus Christ, you two are in love with each other. You always have been, you just think that’s how normal friendships work, which is an incorrect assumption to make, by the way. 

Buck and Eddie look at each other, 

as if analyzing the other’s face. Frank addresses them both.

Eddie’s just been so deeply repressing his sexuality his entire life and I think Buck has been probably redirecting his feelings for you everytime he gets close to figuring it out, if I had to guess. Although I’m sure you both have been redirecting your feelings since you’ve met.

Buck

Eddie can’t speak. He’s overwhelmed.

 Buck looks back over at Eddie.

So you are gay?

He purses his lips and just nods, 

he still can’t say the words.

And you’re in love with me?

He nods again in a similar fashion.

 Buck takes a moment to think.

Ok…

Eddie

You hate me. 

Buck

He rushes to correct him.

No-

Eddie

He stands, distraught.

I just ruined everything between us. This was a mistake. I-I need to go before I cause more damage.

Buck

He grabs Eddie’s arm softly.

Eddie. You didn’t do anything wrong.

Eddie

I ruined my relationship with Chris because of some stupid heteronormative ideals that have been ingrained in me for as long as I can remember. I did everything wrong. Chris hates me, and now you hate me. So I think it’s best if I just go before I ruin another relationship.

Buck

You didn’t ruin anything. I think Frank’s right. Everyone else in our lives is with their soulmates and we’re missing out on that because we’re afraid of a little change? I’ve spent years dating people and trying to make it work because I was convinced they were supposed to be “the one”, and I know you’ve been doing the same thing. But what if it really has been in front of us the whole time? What if it’s always been us ?

Eddie

I really can’t imagine my life without you in it.

Buck

A life without you and Chris is one I don’t want to live. So…I say we just make it official.

Eddie

Petrified.

Like…just like that?

Buck

Well, we can figure it out. Like we don’t have to tell the team yet if you aren’t quite ready.

Eddie

I don’t want you to have to hide yourself again because of me. That’s not fair to you.

Buck

There’s two of us, Eddie. And trust me when I say that I know how hard coming out to people can be. 

Eddie

I just want to tell Chris first. He’s my son. He’s the one this relationship affects the most. 

Buck

That makes sense. Do you want to call him?

Eddie

Here? Now?

Buck 

It doesn’t have to be now. It can be whenever you want, wherever you want. There’s no time clock on any of this.

Eddie

Thinking.

We’ll go to him. We’ll go to El Paso. Together. 

Buck

What? Eddie…you want to fly all the way to El Paso?

Eddie

I can’t tell him about me and us over the phone. This isn’t the type of thing you tell someone over the phone.

Buck

Trying to be supportive.

Yeah, yeah, totally.

Eddie

He gestures to him.

Find the next flight out for me will you?

Buck nods. 

Frank

Eddie looks to Frank, 

who hasn’t spoken in a while.

His face reflects his mixed feelings.

Eddie…

Eddie

If I don’t do this now I never will. And I have to do this. For me, for Buck,

He looks at Buck, and they share a smile.

But most importantly, I have to do this for Chris.

Frank

Are you ready?

Eddie

Nope. I’m terrified. But I already feel braver with Buck by my side. Speaking of which…

He turns toward him, grabbing his 

face and pulling him in, planting a kiss on his lips.

Frank

he looks away, surprised.

Well ok.

Buck

Buck leans in, his hips grinding Eddie’s pelvis.

His mouth melds with Eddie’s. 

After a few moments, he pulls away.

Wow. Where-uh-where did that come from?

Eddie

He smiles, giddy.

Just wanted to do that before I thought about it too much. 

Frank

Ok, well there’s a certain decorum I like to have in my office-

Eddie

I promise it won’t happen again, Frank. And I’m so sorry for walking out of another session, but, y’know, love!

Frank

Yeah, yeah. I’m proud of you, Eddie. You’ve come a long way.

Eddie

He grabs Buck and pulls him out of Frank’s office.

Thank you Frank, I couldn’t have done it without you. I swear I’ll be here same time next week!

Frank chuckles as the door slams shut.

Blackout.

The End.